JETsAD Newsletter #4

#4 August 29, 2015

NEWSLETTER December 2015

Don’t Miss The Wiz Live

Japan’s Interesting Vending Machines Fun Classroom Card Games

Upcoming Events

JETs AD Newsletter

December 2015

Table of Contents

Announcements

• Don’t Miss The Wiz Live..… 3

•Happy birthday to everyone

born in December!

• Fun Classroom Card Games..4-5 •The JET Translation and Interpretation Course training • Japan’s Interesting Vending seminar will be held from Dec Machines…………..……..… 6 7-11.

• Quotes of the Month…..…. 7 • Brain Challenge……….….. 8 • Upcoming Group Events… 9 • Events in Japan……………. 10 • 1000 Paper Cranes for

Peace……………….……..

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• JETsAD Opportunities……. 12

•Tono City in Iwate Prefecture is

hosting its annual here are 2 volunteer opportunities in Iwate Prefecture, one of the area that was affected by the 2011 earthquake. Volunteer to help clean, rebuild, support, etc in Tono City or 3 other nearby cities the long weekend Nov. 21-23. Participate in 100 Santas Christmas Event in Tono City from Dec. 23-25.

•Black Creates Japan (BCJ) is

having its 2nd meet-up in Osaka on Dec. 20 for black creatives in Japan. A group dinner will be held the evening of the same day. See BCJ’s page for more details.

•The black women in the Kanto

area will be having a meet-up dinner on Dec. 12. See BWIJ’s page for more details.

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JETs AD Newsletter

December 2015

Don’t Miss The Wiz Live If you love musicals or just being entertained, then you’ll love The

Wiz Live. On December 3, NBC, an American television network, aired its live production of The Wiz Live. The Wiz Live is a modern adaption of the original broadway The Wiz, which was an unique soulful version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The cast of The Wiz Live included Mary J. Blige, Ne-yo, Queen Latifah, David Alan Grier, Stephanie Mills and the newly famed Shanice Williams.

Even though The Wiz Live received a few outlandish criticisms from social media, the show outperformed NBC’s past two live musical productions. As a matter of fact, it will be re-aired on December 19 8pm ET. So, if you missed the December 3rd live or haven’t been able to see it yet, you will have another chance. For more information on The Wiz Live including behind the scenes information, check out its website: http://www.nbc.com/the-wiz-live.

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JETs AD Newsletter

December 2015

Fun Classroom Card Games

Looking for new ways to spice up your class? Well, give some of these card games a try sorted by skill practice. You can use the card games for any theme or grammar point you’d like and use cards that are suitable to the level of your students. For all of these activities, you’ll need to divide the class into small groups.

Listening: • Karuta- The teacher calls out a word. The student who takes the respective card the fastest gets to keep it. Student with the most cards wins. This is great for active, energetic students.

Reading/Word Recognition: • Match/Memory Game- Each group is given a set of cards with half of the cards being vocabulary or questions and the other half pictures or answers. Spread the cards out face down. Each student chooses two cards. If it a match, they can keep it and try again.

Otherwise, the next player’s turn begins. Student with the most matches wins. Optionally you can use two colors to divide the cards by categories (ex. question cards are pink and answer cards are blue).

• Spoons- Each group is given a set of cards and spoons to be placed in the center. However, the amount of spoons 1 less than the number of players.

Everyone is given 3 points to start with. The goal of the game is get a certain number of matches. You can determine this based on the set of cards you will use. After the cards have been dealt, each student must choose one card to give away. Then, everyone at the same time passes their giveaway card to the person on the left and pick up their new card from the right. To add a speaking element, you can have a group leader say, “Ready, go,” when it’s time to pass.

Once a person has the required number of matches, they should take a spoon.

Everyone else should try to take a spoon too, even if they don’t have the required matches. The first person who took the spoon must show and read their matches to the other players. Then, they get one point. Everyone else that took a spoon is safe. The player who didn’t take a spoon loses 1 point. The player with the most points wins.

• Simple Snap/Slapjack- Similar to the playing card game except using targeted or theme cards. Each group is given a set of cards. A student should deal the cards as evenly as possible to each student. students cannot look at their cards.

Each student takes turns putting a card in the center from their face down pile.

If a match appears in the center of the pile, the student should quickly slap the

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JETs AD Newsletter

December 2015

pile. The fastest person to slap the pile can take the pile. To add a speaking element to it, you can require that the students must say, “Match,” “Mine,” “Snap” or any other phrases before slapping. You can have penalties such as lose a turn or give a card to each player if they mistakenly slap but it’s probably best not to have any. The player who has all of the cards or the most cards wins.

Speaking: • Go Fish- Each group is given a set of cards. A student should deal 7 cards (or 5 cards depending on your deck size) to each student. The cards should be face down. After dealing, the remaining cards are laid face down in the center and the students can look at their cards. The goal of the game is get a certain number of sets. You can determine this based on the set of cards you will use.

Each student takes turns asking one player in the group in English if they have a card that they need to make a set. If the player asked has 1 or more of those cards, they must give all of those cards to them. If the player asked does not have the cards, they should say, “Go Fish!” The requester take a card from the pile. If the card from the pile is they same card they just asked for, then they get another turn to ask another player. Otherwise, the next player’s turn begins.

Student with the most sets wins. This is great for active, energetic students.

However, you may find some students may revert to just asking in Japanese. In this case, you can institute some kind of penalty to discourage this.

• Liar (also known as BS or I Doubt It)- Basically, to play this game you’ll need a set of cards that has 4 duplicates of each of the vocabulary pictures or words.

Write the order the cards should be placed down on the board or on the cards itself. If you are using this to review alphabets or numbers, then indicating the order is not necessary. The goal of the game is to get rid of all of your cards.

Each student takes turns placing down cards in order and saying how many they are placing down (ex. “Four pumpkin cards). Even if the player does not have the card, they still must put down a card, or cards, as if they did. If a student believes the person is lying, they can say, “I doubt it,” “Liar,” or any other phrase you’d like. Then, they can check the the number of cards to see. If the person did lie, then the “liar” has to take all the cards in the pile. If the person told the truth, then the other person has to take all the cards in the pile.

• Draw and Say- This game probably goes by another name but basically, to play this game you’ll need a set of picture cards and special cards such as a “Lose a turn” card or a “Get 1 card from any player” card. Place the cards face down in the center. Each student takes turns drawing a card from the pile and saying what it is. If they can’t say what it is, then they put the card at the bottom of the pile and the next player's turn begins. The player with the most cards wins.

Once students understand the game, they enjoy it very much. These games are very student oriented. So, all you have to do is check on their progress and answer any questions they may have.

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JETs AD Newsletter

December 2015

Japan’s Interesting Vending Machines Whether you’re walking down the street or stepping outside of a building for some fresh air, you’re bound to see a vending machine. You’ll hardly go thirsty here with such convenience.

However, sometimes you just might happen upon some, well, uniquely different vending machines. Here are a few that I’ve come across.

•

Rice vending machine- Rice is an important staple in Japan. So it’s only right to have such a machine.

•Egg vending machine- Have you ever started cooking only to find out you didn’t have everything you needed? Well, if you ever run out of eggs, this baby has got you covered. The eggs in the machine are usually from the local producers.

•

Battery vending machine- If you ever find yourself in need of some batteries, then fear not. With one push of a button, you’ll have instant batteries whenever you want.

•Souvenir vending machine- Now you no longer have to worry if you forgot to buy a gift before the store closed. Head over to this machine and you’ll have an instant present. This particular machine I found in Shibuya. So if you’re in Shibuya, give it a try.

I’ve seen some vending machines that “talk” and have heard about some that even say local dialect phrases. What are some of the interesting vending machines you have come across while in Japan?

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JETs AD Newsletter

December 2015

Quotes of the Month

“Don’t think about the start of the race, think about the ending.”

- Usain Bolt

Japanese Proverb: 案ずるより産むが易し Romaji: Anzuru yori umu ga yasushi.

What seemed difficult is often easier than expected once you try it.

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JETs AD Newsletter

December 2015

BRAIN CHALLENGE Japanese Riddles: Hiragana:一日には２回があるのに、一年には一回しかないものって何？ Romaji: Ichinichi ni wa nikai ga aru no ni, ichinen ni wa ikkai shika nai monotte nani?

Translation: What occurs twice in one day but only once in one year?

Hint: Riddles often play on words. Look at the Japanese carefully.

Maze Challenge

Can you get through the maze?

FINISH

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JETs AD Newsletter

December December2015 2015

Upcoming JETs AD Events •2016 Sapporo Snow Festival

âœŚ

When: February 6-10

Sapporo has its annual Snow Festival(Yuki Matsuri) in February. This year the festival will be from February 5-11! Marvel at the spectacular snow and ice artand enjoy the plethora of snow activities Hokkaido has to offer. Ready to get in on the snow adventure? See on the Facebook event page for more details!

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JETs AD Newsletter

December December2015 2015

Events in Japan December Sunday

Monday

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 1

Chichibu Night 2 Festival (Saitama) International Robot Exhibition starts (Tokyo)

*Akibasan 6 Gongenn Hibuse Osaka Motor Matsuri (Kanagawa) Show ends *Zombie Run

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Hari-kuyo (Kyoto)

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3

(Saitama)

Kobe Luminarie ends

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(Tokyo)

*Yassai Hossai Fire Festival (Osaka)

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11 The day before the Illusion on the Tottori Sand Dunes Illusion begins

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Kasuga Wakamiya OnMatsuri (Nara)

*47 Ronin Festival (Kyoto)

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21

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27 Last day of Illusion on Tottori Sand Dunes

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Jus CreateOsaka #2

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Osaka Motor Show starts

*Oguri Hangan Matsuri (Ibaragi)

13 *Gishi-sai

Saturday

Kobe Luminarie Chichibu Night Festival starts

(Tokyo)

Teppo Matsuri (Saitama)

Friday

Kasuga

16 Kasuga 17 Kasuga 18 Wakamiya On- Wakamiya OnMatsuri (Nara) Matsuri (Nara)

Wakamiya OnMatsuri (Nara)

Hagoita-Ichi (Tokyo)

Hagoita-Ichi (Tokyo) 24

The day before 30

New Year’s Eve31

Christmas

Jump Festa (Chiba)

International Robot Exhibition ends (Tokyo) *BWIJ Kanto 12 Meet-up * Teppo Matsuri (Saitama) *Ikenoue Misogi Matsuri (Gifu)

Hagoita-Ichi (Tokyo)

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Zao Juhyou Light-up Festival starts (Yamagata)

*Namahage Festival the following (Akita) festivals: *Okera-Mairi *Devil Dance Festival (Shiga) Festival (Kyoto) *Chinka-sai *Akutai (Hiroshima) (Foul- mouthed)

Festival (Tochigi)

*Mt.Haguro Shoureisai (Yamagata)

Movie Releases: • 007 Spectre (12/04/2015) • Star Wars: The Force Awakens (12/18/2015) Concert Info: ✦ Ariana Grande (Saitama 12/08 -12/09 ) ✦ Ray Parker Jr & Raydio (Tokyo 12/10-11; Osaka 12/14)

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Jump Festa (Chiba)

Hagoita-Ichi (Tokyo)

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National Holiday

Yansa Matsuri 5 (Oita)

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JETs AD Newsletter

December 2015

1000 Paper Cranes For Peace

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What Do I Need to Do? 1. Fold as many paper cranes as you can.

Our goal is 1000 paper cranes total. Feel free to get some of your local friends, students and teachers to help you.

2. Preferably, try to use paper that’s the color of our logo (i.e. blues, purples, or black/brown). However, any paper you have available is fine.

3. Mail all of your paper cranes the organizer (Send an email to JETsAD@ajet.net for mailing address).

Postage costs will be refunded to you.

What Happens After I Send My Paper Cranes?

1. We will vote on a message to accompany our donation.

2. All of the paper cranes will be strung together and then sent to the Children’s Peace Monument’s donation mailing address.

3. All participants will receive a certificate and a “Thank you” gift bag.

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JETs AD Newsletter

December 2015

Share With Us! Got some amazing classroom tricks, amusing comics, hair tips, delicious recipes, great teaching resource or information on an amazing festival in your town? Want to share an experience you had? Whatever it is you have, we would like to hear about it! You can write about anything your heart desires, with only a few exceptions. If you have something you would like to share with the JETsAD community or would like more information, send an email to JETsAD@ajet.net with the subject header “Newsletter Contribution.”

Exceptions: Posts about political, religious or commercial activities, posts from businesses looking for clients or employees and anything deemed inappropriate by the editor.

***Get Involved*** ✦

Open Positions: • Block Coordinators for the following blocks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 • Newsletter Editor • Website Coordinator(Webmaster)

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If you are interested in any of these positions, send an email to JETsAD@ajet.net.

The Block Coordinator application is located in the “Files” section of the JETsAD Facebook page.

✦

Be apart of Sempai Connect, a buddy system linking current JETsAD & former JETs AD. If you are interested, send an email to JETsAD@ajet.net. To help the pairing process, fill out and send the questionnaire. Questionnaire is also located in the “Files” section of the JETsAD Facebook page.

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JETs AD Newsletter

December 2015

What is JETs AD? 


JETs AD (JETs of African Descent) is a group that is open to all and focuses on topics related to JETs of African Descent. This group serves as a platform for discussion, support, and announcements relating to the JET community at-large. We aim to provide useful information and share resources on hard-to-find hair and beauty products, foreign foods, events, ways to stay connected, and other topics relevant to our demographic. We also plan nationwide and region-specific events.

We are affiliated with The JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Programme.

Join us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all the happenings in the JETs AD community. For more information, email us at jetsad@ajet.net.

JETs AD Newsletter is newsletter for current and former JETs to share information, tips and any other information that may be deemed useful. The views expressed by contributors to this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of the JETs AD Special Interest Group nor the JET Programme and its affiliates All contents retain their copyright to the respective contributor(s) and are printed by JETsAD Newsletter under special permission. Š2015 JETs AD Newsletter. All rights reserved.

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Thank you for reading!

Wishing you a wonderful New Year!

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